Location: Lannock Farm, Hertfordshire, SG4 7EE
Dates: 25–26 June 2025
The Groundswell Festival is the UK’s premier event for regenerative agriculture, bringing together farmers, researchers, environmentalists, and industry leaders to explore sustainable farming practices. This year, IBERS (Aberystwyth University) and the Biomass Connect project joined forces to host a vibrant and informative stand at the event.
A Shared Stand for Shared Goals
The joint stand showcased cutting-edge research and practical solutions in biomass cropping, crop breeding, and riparian land management. Visitors explored interactive displays and discussed:
- UK-wide biomass crop trials across our 8 demonstration sites.
- Breeding for drought and pest resilience in grasses and cereals.
- The role of perennial crops in riparian buffer zones.
- Carbon-smart farming systems.
- Innovation and commercialisation pathways from IBERS research.
Engaging with the Farming Community
Over the two days, our stand welcomed more than 70 visitors, including:
- Farmers and land managers
- Agronomists and consultants
- Researchers and academics
- Environmental NGOs and commercial partners
Attendees were particularly interested in the progress of the national Biomass Connect trials at our Demonstrator Hubs, the use of native species for water quality protection, and the potential of low-input cropping systems to support net-zero goals.
Key Outcomes
- Raised awareness of IBERS and Biomass Connect’s role in regenerative agriculture.
- Sparked new conversations around technology transfer and innovation adoption.
- Identified farmers and businesses interested in:
- Participating in future trials
- Hosting knowledge exchange events
- Accessing IBERS’ research services
Looking Ahead
The Groundswell Festival provided a valuable platform to connect with the wider agricultural community and share the latest insights from the Biomass Connect project. We look forward to building on these conversations and continuing to support the transition to more resilient, sustainable farming systems.
